Emergency reporting system and terminal apparatus therein

ABSTRACT

An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, and a handsfree system circuit. Handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency report receiving center is allowed via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit. A volume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker operates for controlling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher. The volume control circuit may control the volume level at the predetermined constant level, and may inhibit a user from changing the volume level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an emergency reporting network system forvehicles such as automotive vehicles. This invention also relates to aterminal apparatus used in an emergency reporting network system. Inaddition, this invention relates to a method of reporting an emergency.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional emergency communication apparatus for a vehicle isstarted when an emergency occurs in the vehicle. After the start, theconventional apparatus tries to connect with a police station or anemergency report receiving center via a mobile telephone network. Whenconnection has been established, the conventional apparatus allowsspeech communication between a user of the apparatus and an operator inthe police station or the emergency report receiving center.

It is known to provide a vehicular emergency communication apparatuswith a handsfree system circuit which allows handsfree speechcommunication between a user of the apparatus and an operator in apolice station or an emergency report receiving center. In such a knownapparatus, it is possible for the user to adjust the volume (theloudness) of sound generated from a loudspeaker used by the handsfreesystem circuit. Therefore, if the volume level is erroneously preset toa minimum, the user can not hear reproduced operator's voice duringhandsfree speech communication. In the known apparatus, the loudspeakeris designed for the exclusive use of the handsfree system circuit. Theexclusive loudspeaker occupies a corresponding space in a relatedvehicle.

Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-20578 discloses apresent position emergency informing device mounted on an automobile.The emergency informing device in Japanese application 5-20578 includesa crash sensor, a position detector, and an automobile telephone. Whenthe automobile causes a crash, the crash sensor detects a related impactforce. At the same time as the moment of detection of the impact force,the position detector is operated. Subsequently, an emergency sectionsuch as police is automatically contacted through the automobiletelephone. Then, the accident and the position where the accident occursare automatically notified to the emergency section.

Japanese published unexamined patent application 5-5626 discloses anavigation system which is designed so that data of emergency numbersfed from a CD-ROM, and its own position data of a vehicle estimated bymeans of a location device are stored in a FIFO memory. In addition,voices produced in the vehicle are stored in a voice storing device, andpersonal information about the driver of the vehicle and his fellowpassengers is stored in an ID card device. In the navigation system ofJapanese application 5-5626, the occurrence of an accident is detectedby comparing a change in the signal of an acceleration sensor with apredetermined change in accident-caused impact acceleration. Upondetection of the occurrence of an accident, the information is outputtedfrom the FIFO memory, the voice storing device, and the ID card deviceto an external via a communication unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a first object of this invention to provide an improved emergencyreporting network system.

It is a second object of this invention to provide an improved terminalapparatus in an emergency reporting network system.

It is a third object of this invention to provie an improved method ofreporting an emergency.

A first aspect of this invention provides an emergency reportingapparatus for a vehicle. The emergency reporting apparatus comprises amicrophone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means forallowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency reportreceiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfreesystem circuit; and a volume control circuit connected to theloudspeaker for controlling a volume level of sound generated by theloudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higher.

A second aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume controlcircuit controls the volume level at the predetermined constant level,and inhibits a user from changing the volume level.

A third aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume controlcircuit comprises means for controlling the volume level at thepredetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication,and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.

A fourth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein the volume controlcircuit comprises first means for controlling the volume level at thepredetermined constant level during emergency reporting communication,second means for allowing a user to change the volume level after thefirst means controls the volume level at the predetermined constantlevel, and third means for preventing the volume level from moving outof a predetermined range after the volume level is changed via thesecond means.

A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising meansfor detecting a level of background sound noise inputted via themicrophone, and means for controlling the volume control circuit toadjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker inresponse to the detected level of background sound noise.

A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising meansfor receiving a volume level control signal from the emergency reportreceiving center, and means for controlling the volume control circuitto adjust the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker inresponse to the received volume level control signal.

A seventh aspect of this invention is based on the first aspect thereof,and provides an emergency reporting apparatus further comprising meansfor receiving a volume level control signal from an external device, andmeans for controlling the volume control circuit to adjust the volumelevel of sound generated by the loudspeaker in response to the receivedvolume level control signal.

An eighth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reportingnetwork system comprising emergency report receiving center; acommunication network; and emergency reporting apparatuses connectablewith the emergency report receiving center via the communicationnetwork; wherein each of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprisesthe emergency reporting apparatus of one of the first to seventh aspectsof this invention.

A ninth aspect of this invention provides a method of reporting anemergency in a vehicle including an audio system. The method comprisesthe steps of allowing handsfree speech communication with an emergencyreport receiving center via a microphone and a loudspeaker; and using aloudspeaker of the audio system as the handsfree speech communicationloudspeaker.

A tenth aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspect thereof,and provides a method wherein one of an audio-system loudspeakerslocated in a right front door, a right rear door, a left front door, aleft rear door, a right portion of a rear seat, and a left portion ofthe rear seat of the vehicle is used as the handsfree speechcommunication loudspeaker.

An eleventh aspect of this invention is based on the ninth aspectthereof, and provides a method further comprising the step of, in caseswhere the loudspeaker of the audio system is wrong, replacing theloudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of the audiosystem and thereby using another loudspeaker of the audio system as thehandsfree speech communication loudspeaker.

A twelfth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises thestep of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with anotherloudspeaker of the audio system in response to user's manual operation.

A thirteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises thestep of replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system with anotherloudspeaker of the audio system in response to a loudspeaker changerequirement signal transmitted from the emergency report receivingcenter.

A fourteenth aspect of this invention is based on the thirteenth aspectthereof, and provides a method wherein a DTMF signal is used as theloudspeaker change requirement signal.

A fifteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises thesteps of detecting a level of sound generated by the loudspeaker of theaudio system, and replacing the loudspeaker of the audio system withanother loudspeaker of the audio system in response to the detectedsound level.

A sixteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eleventh aspectthereof, and provides a method wherein the replacing step comprises thesteps of detecting an impedance of the loudspeaker of the audio system,deciding whether the loudspeaker of the audio system is normal or wrongin response to the detected impedance of the loudspeaker, and replacingthe loudspeaker of the audio system with another loudspeaker of theaudio system when the loudspeaker of the audio system is decided to bewrong.

A seventeenth aspect of this invention provides an emergency reportingapparatus for a vehicle including an audio system. The emergencyreporting appratus comprises a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfreesystem circuit; and means for allowing handsfree speech communicationwith an emergency report receiving center via the microphone, theloudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; wherein the handsfreespeech communication loudspeaker uses a loudspeaker of the audio system.

An eighteenth aspect of this invention is based on the seventeenthaspect thereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus furthercomprising means for selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audiosystem as the handsfree speech communication loudspeaker.

A nineteenth aspect of this invention is based on the eighteenth aspectthereof, and provides an emergency reporting apparatus wherein theselecting means comprises a unit manually operable by a user, and meansfor selecting one from among loudspeakers of the audio system as thehandsfree speech communication loudspeaker in response to manualoperation of the unit by the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a third embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a fourth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a fifth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a sixth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of a program for a controller in FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an automotive vehicle on which the emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 7 is mounted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a thirteenth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a fourteenth embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an emergency reporting apparatus accordingto a fifteenth embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reportingapparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotivevehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatuses are terminalapparatuses. The emergency reporting network system also includes apolice station or an emergency report receiving center which operates asa host apparatus. The emergency reporting apparatuses can be connectedwith the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.

FIG. 1 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a first embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotivevehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the emergency reporting apparatus includes aterminal device 1, a communication antenna 2, a trigger button 3, a GPS(Global Positioning System) antenna 4, a microphone 5, and a loudspeaker6. The terminal device 1 is connected to the communication antenna 2,the trigger button 3, the GPS antenna 4, the microphone 5, and theloudspeaker 6.

The terminal device 1 includes a communication device 11, a controller12, a gyro sensor 13, a positional information generator 14, a memory15, a handsfree system circuit 16, a GPS receiver 17, and a volumecontrol circuit 18A. The communication device 111 is connected to thecommunication antenna 2, the controller 12, and the handsfree systemcircuit 16. The controller 12 is connected to the trigger button 3, thepositional information generator 14, the memory 15, and the volumecontrol circuit 18A. The gyro sensor 13 is connected to the positionalinformation generator 14. The GPS receiver 17 is connected to the GPSantenna 4 and the positional information generator 14. The handsfreesystem circuit 16 is connected to the microphone 5 and the volumecontrol circuit 18A. The volume control circuit 18A is connected to theloudspeaker 6.

The trigger button 3 includes a manually-operated button which can beaccessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the relatedvehicle. When the trigger button 3 is depressed, a trigger signal istransmitted from the trigger button 3 to the controller 12 as anemergency-occurrence indicating signal.

The GPS antenna 4 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. The GPSantenna 4 feeds the received GPS signals to the GPS receiver 17.

The communication device 11 includes a telephone set such as a mobiletelephone set having a radio communication device which can becontrolled by the controller 12. The communication device 11 can outputand feed a radio signal to the communication antenna 2. The radio signalis radiated by the communication antenna 2. The radiated radio signalcan propagate to a base station of a related radio telephone network.The communication antenna 2 can receive a radio signal from the basestation. The received radio signal is fed from the communication antenna2 to the communication device 11. In this way, the communication device11 can communicate with the base station by radio on a two-way basis.

The communication device 11 can receive a call requirement signal and adestination-telephone-number signal from the controller 12. Upon thereception of the call requirement signal, the communication device 11generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite partydesignated by the destination telephone number. The radio call signalcontains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 before beingradiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station.The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to thecommunication opposite party designated by the destination telephonenumber. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal istransmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the basestation. The communication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal.The received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 2to the communication device 11. The communication device 11 recognizesfrom the radio answer signal that connection with the communicationopposite party is established. Then, the communication device 11 changesto a data communication mode of operation or a speech communication modeof operation. In addition, the communication device 11 informs thecontroller 12 that the connection with the communication opposite partyis established.

The communication device 11 can receive, from the controller 12,positional information data representing the position of the relatedvehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and theorientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication modeof operation, the communication device 11 transmits the positionalinformation data to the communication opposite party via the basestation. The communication opposite party is, for example, a policestation or an emergency report receiving center. During the speechcommunication mode of operation, the communication device 11 allowstwo-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant ofthe related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite partyvia the base station.

The controller 12 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar devicehaving a combination of an input/output port, a signal processingsection, a RAM, and a ROM. The controller 12 operates in accordance witha program stored in the ROM.

The gyro sensor 13 generates data representing the direction of travelof the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor 13 outputs the generated data to the positional informationgenerator 14. The GPS receiver 17 generates data representative of theposition of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed fromthe GPS antenna 4. The GPS receiver 17 outputs the generated data to thepositional information generator 14. The positional informationgenerator 14 produces positional information data in response to theoutput data from the gyro sensor 13 and the output data from the GPSreceiver 17. The produced positional information data represent theposition of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the relatedvehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. The positionalinformation generator 14 can output the produced positional informationdata to the controller 12.

The memory 15 stores information representing the telephone numbers ofpolice stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receivingcenters, the registration number of the related vehicle, and theregistrant. The memory 15 can be accessed by the controller 12.

The microphone 5 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupant ofthe related vehicle). The microphone 5 outputs an audio signalrepresentative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit16. The handsfree system circuit 16 can output an audio signalrepresentative of operator's voice in the communication opposite partyto the volume control circuit 18A. The volume control circuit 18A cansubject the output audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 16 tovolume control. The volume control circuit 18A can output the resultantaudio signal to the loudspeaker 6. The volume control circuit 18A iscontrolled by the controller 12. The loudspeaker 6 converts the outputaudio signal of the volume control circuit 18A into corresponding soundwhich can be heard by the user. The handsfree system circuit 16 cantransmit and receive voice information to and from the communicationdevice 11.

The handsfree system circuit 16 cooperates with the microphone 5, theloudspeaker 6, the communication device 11, and the volume controlcircuit 18A, thereby allowing handsfree two-way speech communicationbetween a user (a driver or an occupant of the related vehicle) and anoperator of the communication opposite party. The handsfree systemcircuit 16 has an echo cancel function and an anti-howling function. Thevolume control circuit 18A operates to make constant the output level atthe loudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input signal. In otherwords, the volume control circuit 18A acts to hold the loudspeakeroutput sound level at a constant level. The constant level may be equalto or higher than a predetermined level. The volume control circuit 18Aincludes, for example, an AGC (automatic gain control) circuit.

The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 1 operates as follows. In theevent of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, thetrigger button 3 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupant ofthe related vehicle). The depression of the trigger button 3 sends anemergency-occurrence indicating signal to the controller 12. Thecontroller 12 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicating signalthat an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported. Then, thecontroller 12 starts a process of reporting an emergency.

During the emergency reporting process, the controller 12 outputs asignal to the positional information generator 14 which requires currentpositional information (information related to the current position ofthe related vehicle). In response to the output signal from thecontroller 12, the positional information generator 14 gets the currentpositional information. Then, the positional information generator 14feeds the current positional information to the controller 12.

Specifically, the positional information generator 14 receives theoutput data from the gyro sensor 13. In addition, the positionalinformation generator 14 receives the output data from the GPS receiver17. The positional information generator 14 produces positionalinformation data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 13and the output data from the GPS receiver 17. The produced positionalinformation data represent the current position of the related vehicle,the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the currentorientation of the related vehicle. The positional information generator14 outputs the produced positional information data to the controller 12as the current positional information.

During the emergency reporting process, the controller 12 reads outinformation of a destination telephone number from the memory 15. Thedesignation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of adesired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergencyreport receiving center). The controller 12 feeds the information of thedestination telephone number to the communication device 11. Thecontroller 12 requires the communication device 11 to generate a radiosignal to call the communication opposite party designated by thedestination telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 11generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dialsignal. The radio call signal is fed from the communication device 11 tothe communication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radiocall signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding call signalis transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite partydesignated by the destination telephone number. Normally, an answersignal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from thecommunication opposite party to the base station. The correspondingradio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 2 receives the radio answer signal. The receivedradio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 2 to thecommunication device 11. The communication device 11 recognizes from theradio answer signal that connection with the communication oppositeparty is established. Then, the communication device 11 changes to thedata communication mode of operation. In addition, the communicationdevice 11 informs the controller 12 that the connection with thecommunication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller 12decides that the connection with the communication opposite party hasbeen successfully established.

Subsequently, the controller 12 operates to implement datacommunication. Specifically, the controller 12 feeds the currentpositional information to the communication device 11. The controller 12requires the communication device 11 to generate a radio signal of dataof the current positional information. Accordingly, the communicationdevice 11 generates the radio data signal. The radio data signal is fedfrom the communication device 11 to the communication antenna 2 beforebeing radiated thereby. The radio data signal propagates to the basestation. The corresponding data signal is transmitted via the basestation to the communication opposite party. In this way, the currentpositional information is transmitted to the communication oppositeparty (the police station or the emergency report receiving center) on adata communication basis. After the data communication has beencompleted, the controller 12 operates to allow two-way speechcommunication.

During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal representativeof operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite partyto the base station. The corresponding radio speech signal istransmitted from the base station. The communication antenna 2 receivesthe radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal is fed fromthe communication antenna 2 to the communication device 11. Thecommunication device 11 recovers an audio signal (a received audiosignal) from the radio speech signal. The communication device 11 iscontrolled by the controller 12, outputting the received audio signal tothe handsfree system circuit 16. The received audio signal representsoperator's voice in the communication opposite party (the police stationor the emergency report receiving center). The handsfree system circuit16 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancel process and ananti-howling process. The handsfree system circuit 16 outputs theresultant audio signal to the volume control circuit 18A. The volumecontrol circuit 18A is controlled by the controller 12, subjecting theoutput audio signal of the handsfree system circuit 16 to volume controlto make the resultant audio level constant. In other words, the volumecontrol circuit 18A processes the output audio signal of the handsfreesystem circuit 16 into an audio signal having a constant amplitude. Theconstant amplitude may be equal to or greater than a predeterminedamplitude. The volume control circuit 18A outputs the resultant audiosignal to the loudspeaker 6. The loudspeaker 6 converts the output audiosignal of the volume control circuit 18A into corresponding sound whichcan be heard by the user (the driver or the occupant of the relatedvehicle).

During the two-way speech communication, the microphone 5 picks up voiceof the user. The microphone 5 outputs an audio signal representative ofthe picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit 16. The handsfreesystem circuit 16 subjects the audio signal to the echo cancel processand the anti-howling process. The handsfree system circuit 16 outputsthe resultant audio signal (the resultant speech signal) to thecommunication device 11. The communication device 11 is controlled bythe controller 12, generating a radio speech signal corresonding to theoutput audio signal from the handsfree system circuit 16. The radiospeech signal is fed from the communication device 11 to thecommunication antenna 2 before being radiated thereby. The radio speechsignal propagates to the base station. The corresponding speech signalis transmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party.Thus, two-way speech communication is implemented between the user (thedriver or the occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of thecommunication opposite party (the police station or the emergency reportreceiving center).

As previously mentioned, during the two-way speech communication, thevolume control circuit 18A makes constant the output level at theloudspeaker 6 over a wide level range of an input audio signal.Preferably, the constant level at which the loudness (volume) of soundproduced by the loudspeaker 6 is controlled is preset so that reproducedoperator's voice can be surely heard by the user. The constant level isequal to or higher than a predetermined level.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the controller 12.As shown in FIG. 2, a first step 51 of the program segment decideswhether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received.When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, the step51 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrenceindicating signal is received, the program advances from the step 51 toa step 53.

The step 53 requires the positional information generator 14 to providecurrent positional information. Then, the step 53 receives the currentpositional information therefrom.

A step 54 subsequent to the step 53 reads out information of adestination telephone number from the memory 14. The designationtelephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desiredcommunication opposite party (a police station or an emergency reportreceiving center).

A step 55 following the step 54 informs the communication device 11 ofthe destination telephone number.

A step 56 subsequent to the step 55 controls the communication device 11to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite partydesignated by the destination telephone number. As previously mentioned,the radio call signal is transmitted from the communication device 11 toa base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmitted viathe base station to the communication opposite party designated by thedestination telephone number. After the step 56, the program advances toa step 57.

The step 57 decides whether or not connection with the communicationopposite party has been established by referring to information fed fromthe communication device 11. The connection-related information isgenerated by the communication device 11 on the basis of an answersignal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party inresponse to the call signal. When connection with the communicationopposite party has not yet been established, the step 57 is repeated. Onthe other hand, when connection with the communication opposite partyhas been established, the program advances from the step 57 to a step58.

The step 158 implements data communication. Specifically, the step 58feeds the current positional information to the communication device 11.The step 58 controls the communication device 11 to transmit the currentpositional information to the communication opposite party.

A step 59 following the step 58 controls the communication device 11 toallow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver or theoccupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of the communicationopposite party (the police station or the emergency report receivingcenter). In addition, the step 59 controls the volume control circuit18A to execute the volume control on the output sound level at theloudspeaker 6. After the step 59, the current execution cycle of theprogram segment ends.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a second embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 3 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 3 includes a controller 12B and a volume control circuit 18Bwhich replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3 futherincludes a volume adjustment button 19 connected to the controller 12B.The volume adjustment button 19 may be replaced by a volume adjustmentdial or a volume adjustment switch.

A desired volume (desired sound level or desired loudness) can be set byactuating the volume adjustment button 19. The volume adjustment button19 outputs a signal representative of a desired volume to the controller12B when being actuated. The desired volume can be changed by operatingthe volume adjustment button 19. The controller 12B can store thedesired volume signal to a memory 15.

During operation except speech communication to report an emergency, thecontroller 12B adjusts the volume control circuit 18B in response to thedesired volume signal to equalize an actual output sound level to thedesired volume. In this case, the controller 12B receives the desiredvolume signal from the volume adjustment button 19 or the memory 15.

When reporting an emergency is required, the controller 12B adjusts thevolume control circuit 18B to equalize an actual output sound level to apredetermined constant level regardless of the desired volume.Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from thepredetermined constant level by operating the volume adjustment button19. In this case, it is possible to automatically control output soundat a suitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.

The volume control circuit 18B may be provided with a circuit forpreventing an actual output sound level from being set improper as aresult of volume readjustment by a user.

The controller 12B may monitor a resistance variation or a voltagevariation caused by operation of the volume adjustment button 19. Inthis case, the controller 12B decides whether or not the monitoredvariation exceeds a predetermined reference variation. When themonitored variation is equal to or less than the reference variation,the controller 12B outputs a signal to the volume control circuit 18Bwhich inhibits volume change. On the other hand, when the monitoredvariation exceeds the reference variation, the controller 12B outputs asignal to the volume control circuit 18B which allows volume change.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a third embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 4 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 4 includes a controller 12C and a volume control circuit 18Cwhich replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The controller 12C is connected to a microphone 5.

The microphone 5 outputs a signal having components which correspond tobackground sound noise interfering with a user. An input/output port ofthe controller 12C includes an A/D converter (analog-to-digitalconverter) for changing the output signal of the microphone 5 into acorresponding digital signal. The controller 12C detects a backgroundnoise level in response to the output signal of the microphone 5. Thecontroller 12C can adjust the volume control circuit 18C to change aconstant level at which the loudness of output sound is controlled bythe volume control circuit 18C. Specifically, the controller 12C changesthe constant level in response to the detected background noise level.In more detail, the controller 12C increases the constant level as thedetected background noise level rises.

During two-way speech communication to report an emergency, when thedetected background noise level is relatively great, the controller 12Coperates to provide a large constant level at which the loudness ofoutput sound is controlled by the volume control circuit 18C. Therefore,operator's voice reproduced from a loudspeaker 6 can be more surelyheard by the user.

The third embodiment of this invention may also be applied to theemergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case, during emergencyreporting communication, an actual output sound level is held to aconstant level which is determined in accordance with the detectedbackground noise level, and which is independent of the desired volume.Thereafter, the actual output sound level can be changed from thepreviously-indicated constant level by operating a volume adjustmentbutton. It is possible to automatically control output sound at asuitable volume equal to the change-resultant level.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 5 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a fourth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 5 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 5 includes a controller 12D and a volume control circuit 18Dwhich replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 5 futherincludes a volume control signal extractor 20. The volume control signalextractor 20 is connected to a communication device 11 and thecontroller 12D.

During emergency reporting communication between the apparatus and anemergency report receiving center (or a police station), the centertransmits a radio signal containing a volume control signal. Thecommunication device 11 subjects a received radio signal todemodulation, and outputs a resultant baseband signal to a handsfreesystem circuit 16 and the volume control signal extractor 20. The device20 extracts the volume control signal from the output signal of thecommunication device 11. The device 20 feeds the volume control signalto the controller 12D.

The controller 12D adjusts the volume control circuit 18D in response tothe volume control signal. Thus, the controller 12D operates to adjustthe loudness of sound produced by a loudspeaker 6 in response to thevolume control signal. Specifically, during the emergency reportingcommunication, the controller 12D adjusts the loudness of produced soundat a level designated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, theemergency report receiving center (or the police station) can adjust theloudness of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6.

The fourth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to theemergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case, during emergencyreporting communication, an actual output sound level is determined bythe volume control signal. Thereafter, operation of a volume adjustmentbutton enables the actual output sound level to be changed from onedetermined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automaticallycontrol output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultantlevel.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a fifth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 6 is similar to that in FIG. 1 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 6 includes a controller 12E and a volume control circuit 18Ewhich replace the controller 12 and the volume control circuit 18A (seeFIG. 1) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 6 futherincludes an interface 21 for connection with an external device. Thecontroller 12E is connected to the interface 21.

The external device generates a volume control signal. The volumecontrol signal is transmitted from the external device to the controller12E via the interface 21.

During emergency reporting communication between the apparatus and anemergency report receiving center (or a police station), the controller12E adjusts the volume control circuit 18E in response to the volumecontrol signal. Thus, the controller 12E operates to adjust the loudnessof sound produced by a loudspeaker 6 in response to the volume controlsignal. Specifically, during the emergency reporting communication, thecontroller 12E adjusts the loudness of produced sound at a leveldesignated by the volume control signal. Accordingly, the externaldevice can adjust the loudness of sound produced by the loudspeaker 6.

The fifth embodiment of this invention may also be applied to theemergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 3. In this case, during emergencyreporting communication, an actual output sound level is determined bythe volume control signal. Thereafter, operation of a volume adjustmentbutton enables the actual output sound level to be changed from onedetermined by the volume control signal. It is possible to automaticallycontrol output sound at a suitable volume equal to the change-resultantlevel.

The volume control signal may be contained in a communication signaltransmitted from the external device. Examples of the communicationsignal are an asynchronous serial signal, a synchronous serial signal, aparallel signal, a LAN communication signal of an IE-BUS type or anARCNET type, an infrared signal, a wireless signal, and a radio signal.The synchronous serial signal uses a synchronizing signal such as aframe signal or a clock signal. The parallel signal is a buscommunication signal.

Sixth Embodiment

An emergency reporting network system includes emergency reportingapparatuses which are mounted on vehicles (for example, automotivevehicles) respectively. The emergency reporting apparatuses are terminalapparatuses. The emergency reporting network system also includes apolice station or an emergency report receiving center which operates asa host apparatus. The emergency reporting apparatuses can be connectedwith the host apparatus via a mobile telephone network.

FIG. 7 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a sixth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus is mounted on a vehicle such as an automotivevehicle.

As shown in FIG. 7, the emergency reporting apparatus includes aterminal device 101, a communication antenna 102, a trigger button 103,a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna 104, a microphone 105, and aloudspeaker 106. The terminal device 101 is connected to thecommunication antenna 102, the trigger button 103, the GPS antenna 104,the microphone 105, and the loudspeaker 106.

The terminal device 101 includes a communication device 111, acontroller 112, a gyro sensor 113, a positional information generator114, a memory 115, a handsfree system circuit 116, and a GPS receiver117. The communication device 111 is connected to the communicationantenna 102, the controller 112, and the handsfree system circuit 116.The controller 112 is connected to the trigger button 103, thepositional information generator 114, and the memory 115. The gyrosensor 113 is connected to the positional information generator 114. TheGPS receiver 117 is connected to the GPS antenna 104 and the positionalinformation generator 114. The handsfree system circuit 116 is connectedto the microphone 105 and the loudspeaker 106.

The trigger button 103 includes a manually-operated button which can beaccessed by a user, that is, a driver or an occupant of the relatedvehicle. When the trigger button 103 is depressed, a trigger signal istransmitted from the trigger button 103 to the controller 112 as anemergency-occurrence indicating signal.

The GPS antenna 104 can receive GPS signals from GPS satellites. The GPSantenna 104 feeds the received GPS signals to the GPS receiver 117.

The communication device 111 includes a telephone set such as a mobiletelephone set having a radio communication device which can becontrolled by the controller 112. The communication device 111 canoutput and feed a radio signal to the communication antenna 102. Theradio signal is radiated by the communication antenna 102. The radiatedradio signal can propagate to a base station of a related radiotelephone network. The communication antenna 102 can receive a radiosignal from the base station. The received radio signal is fed from thecommunication antenna 102 to the communication device 111. In this way,the communication device 111 can communicate with the base station byradio on a two-way basis.

The communication device 111 can receive a call requirement signal and adestination-telephone-number signal from the controller 112. Upon thereception of the call requirement signal, the communication device 111generates a radio signal to call the communication opposite partydesignated by the destination telephone number. The radio call signalcontains a dial signal. The radio call signal is fed from thecommunication device 111 to the communication antenna 102 before beingradiated thereby. The radio call signal propagates to a base station.The corresponding call signal is transmitted via the base station to thecommunication opposite party designated by the destination telephonenumber. Normally, an answer signal responsive to the call signal istransmitted from the communication opposite party to the base station.The corresponding radio answer signal is transmitted from the basestation. The communication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal.The received radio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna102 to the communication device 111. The communication device 111recognizes from the radio answer signal that connection with thecommunication opposite party is established. Then, the communicationdevice 111 changes to a data communication mode of operation or a speechcommunication mode of operation. In addition, the communication device111 informs the controller 112 that the connection with thecommunication opposite party is established.

The communication device 111 can receive, from the controller 112,positional information data representing the position of the relatedvehicle, the direction of travel of the related vehicle, and theorientation of the related vehicle. During the data communication modeof operation, the communication device 111 transmits the positionalinformation data to the communication opposite party via the basestation. The communication opposite party is, for example, a policestation or an emergency report receiving center. During the speechcommunication mode of operation, the communication device 111 allowstwo-way speech communication between a user (a driver or an occupant ofthe related vehicle) and an operator of the communication opposite partyvia the base station.

The controller 112 includes a microcomputer, a CPU, or a similar devicehaving a combination of an input/output port, a signal processingsection, a RAM, and a ROM. The controller 112 operates in accordancewith a program stored in the ROM.

The gyro sensor 113 generates data representing the direction of travelof the related vehicle and the orientation of the related vehicle. Thegyro sensor 113 outputs the generated data to the positional informationgenerator 114. The GPS receiver 117 generates data representative of theposition of the related vehicle in response to the GPS signals fed fromthe GPS antenna 104. The GPS receiver 117 outputs the generated data tothe positional information generator 114. The positional informationgenerator 114 produces positional information data in response to theoutput data from the gyro sensor 113 and the output data from the GPSreceiver 117. The produced positional information data represent theposition of the related vehicle, the direction of travel of the relatedvehicle, and the orientation of the related vehicle. The positionalinformation generator 114 can output the produced positional informationdata to the controller 112.

The memory 115 stores information representing the telephone numbers ofpolice stations, the telephone numbers of emergency report receivingcenters, the registration number of the related vehicle, and theregistrant. The memory 115 can be accessed by the controller 112.

The microphone 105 can pick up voice of a user (a driver or an occupantof the related vehicle). The microphone 105 outputs an audio signalrepresentative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit116. The handsfree system circuit 116 can output an audio signalrepresentative of operator's voice in the communication opposite partyto the loudspeaker 106. The loudspeaker 106 converts the output audiosignal of the handsfree system circuit 116 into corresponding soundwhich can be heard by the user. The handsfree system circuit 116 cantransmit and receive voice information to and from the communicationdevice 111.

The handsfree system circuit 116 cooperates with the microphone 105, theloudspeaker 106, and the communication device 111, thereby allowinghandsfree two-way speech communication between a user (a driver or anoccupant of the related vehicle) and an operator of the communicationopposite party. The handsfree system circuit 116 has an echo cancelfunction and an anti-howling function.

The loudspeaker 106 uses a loudspeaker in a vehicular audio system. Inother words, the emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 does not haveany exclusive loudspeaker which would occupy a corresponding space inthe related vehicle.

The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 7 operates as follows. In theevent of an emergency such as an accident or a sudden illness, thetrigger button 103 can be depressed by a user (a driver or an occupantof the related vehicle). The depression of the trigger button 103 sendsan emergency-occurrence indicating signal to the controller 112. Thecontroller 112 recognizes from the emergency-occurrence indicatingsignal that an emergency occurs and the emergency should be reported.Then, the controller 112 starts a process of reporting an emergency.

During the emergency reporting process, the controller 112 outputs asignal to the positional information generator 114 which requirescurrent positional information (information related to the currentposition of the related vehicle). In response to the output signal fromthe controller 112, the positional information generator 114 gets thecurrent positional information. Then, the positional informationgenerator 114 feeds the current positional information to the controller112.

Specifically, the positional information generator 114 receives theoutput data from the gyro sensor 113. In addition, the positionalinformation generator 114 receives the output data from the GPS receiver117. The positional information generator 114 produces positionalinformation data in response to the output data from the gyro sensor 113and the output data from the GPS receiver 117. The produced positionalinformation data represent the current position of the related vehicle,the current direction of travel of the related vehicle, and the currentorientation of the related vehicle. The positional information generator114 outputs the produced positional information data to the controller112 as the current positional information.

During the emergency reporting process, the controller 112 reads outinformation of a destination telephone number from the memory 115. Thedesignation telephone number is equal to the telephone number of adesired communication opposite party (a police station or an emergencyreport receiving center). The controller 112 feeds the information ofthe destination telephone number to the communication device 111. Thecontroller 112 requires the communication device 111 to generate a radiosignal to call the communication opposite party designated by thedestination telephone number. Accordingly, the communication device 111generates the radio call signal. The radio call signal contains a dialsignal. The radio call signal is fed from the communication device 111to the communication antenna 102 before being radiated thereby. Theradio call signal propagates to a base station. The corresponding callsignal is transmitted via the base station to the communication oppositeparty designated by the destination telephone number. Normally, ananswer signal responsive to the call signal is transmitted from thecommunication opposite party to the base station. The correspondingradio answer signal is transmitted from the base station. Thecommunication antenna 102 receives the radio answer signal. The receivedradio answer signal is fed from the communication antenna 102 to thecommunication device 111. The communication device 111 recognizes fromthe radio answer signal that connection with the communication oppositeparty is established. Then, the communication device 111 changes to thedata communication mode of operation. In addition, the communicationdevice 111 informs the controller 112 that the connection with thecommunication opposite party is established. Thus, the controller 112decides that the connection with the communication opposite party hasbeen successfully established.

Subsequently, the controller 112 operates to implement datacommunication. Specifically, the controller 112 feeds the currentpositional information to the communication device 111. The controller112 requires the communication device 111 to generate a radio signal ofdata of the current positional information. Accordingly, thecommunication device 111 generates the radio data signal. The radio datasignal is fed from the communication device 111 to the communicationantenna 102 before being radiated thereby. The radio data signalpropagates to the base station. The corresponding data signal istransmitted via the base station to the communication opposite party. Inthis way, the current positional information is transmitted to thecommunication opposite party (the police station or the emergency reportreceiving center) on a data communication basis. After the datacommunication has been completed, the controller 112 operates to allowtwo-way speech communication.

During the two-way speech communication, an audio signal representativeof operator's voice is transmitted from the communication opposite partyto the base station. The corresponding radio speech signal istransmitted from the base station. The communication antenna 102receives the radio speech signal. The received radio speech signal isfed from the communication antenna 102 to the communication device 111.The communication device 111 recovers an audio signal (a received audiosignal) from the radio speech signal. The communication device 111 iscontrolled by the controller 112, outputting the received audio signalto the handsfree system circuit 116. The received audio signalrepresents operator's voice in the communication opposite party (thepolice station or the emergency report receiving center). The handsfreesystem circuit 116 subjects the received audio signal to an echo cancelprocess and an anti-howling process. The handsfree system circuit 116outputs the resultant audio signal to the loudspeaker 106. Theloudspeaker 106 converts the output audio signal of the handsfee systemcircuit 116 into corresponding sound which can be heard by the user (thedriver or the occupant of the related vehicle).

During the two-way speech communication, the microphone 105 picks upvoice of the user. The microphone 105 outputs an audio signalrepresentative of the picked-up voice to the handsfree system circuit116. The handsfree system circuit 116 subjects the audio signal to theecho cancel process and the anti-howling process. The handsfree systemcircuit 116 outputs the resultant audio signal (the resultant speechsignal) to the communication device 111. The communication device 111 iscontrolled by the controller 112, generating a corresponding radiospeech signal. The radio speech signal is fed from the communicationdevice 111 to the communication antenna 102 before being radiatedthereby. The radio speech signal propagates to the base station. Thecorresponding speech signal is transmitted via the base station to thecommunication opposite party. Thus, two-way speech communication isimplemented between the user (the driver or the occupant of the relatedvehicle) and the operator of the communication opposite party (thepolice station or the emergency report receiving center).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a segment of the program for the controller112. As shown in FIG. 8, a first step 251 of the program segment decideswhether or not an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is received.When an emergency-occurrence indicating signal is not received, the step251 is repeated. On the other hand, when an emergency-occurrenceindicating signal is received, the program advances from the step 251 toa step 253.

The step 253 requires the positional information generator 114 toprovide current positional information. Then, the step 253 receives thecurrent positional information therefrom.

A step 254 subsequent to the step 253 reads out information of adestination telephone number from the memory 114. The designationtelephone number is equal to the telephone number of a desiredcommunication opposite party (a police station or an emergency reportreceiving center).

A step 255 following the step 254 informs the communication device 111of the destination telephone number.

A step 256 subsequent to the step 255 controls the communication device111 to generate a radio signal to call the communication opposite partydesignated by the destination telephone number. As previously mentioned,the radio call signal is transmitted from the communication device 111to a base station. Then, the corresponding call signal is transmittedvia the base station to the communication opposite party designated bythe destination telephone number. After the step 256, the programadvances to a step 257.

The step 257 decides whether or not connection with the communicationopposite party has been established by referring to information fed fromthe communication device 111. The connection-related information isgenerated by the communication device 111 on the basis of an answersignal which is transmitted from the communication opposite party inresponse to the call signal. When connection with the communicationopposite party has not yet been established, the step 257 is repeated.On the other hand, when connection with the communication opposite partyhas been established, the program advances from the step 257 to a step258.

The step 258 implements data communication. Specifically, the step 258feeds the current positional information to the communication device111. The step 258 controls the communication device 111 to transmit thecurrent positional information to the communication opposite party.

A step 259 following the step 258 controls the communication device 111to allow two-way speech communication between the user (the driver orthe occupant of the related vehicle) and the operator of thecommunication opposite party (the police station or the emergency reportreceiving center). After the step 259, the current execution cycle ofthe program segment ends.

FIG. 9 shows an automotive vehicle 151 on which the emergency reportingapparatus of FIG. 7 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 9, the automotivevehicle 151 has a right front door D1, a right rear door D2, a leftfront door D3, and a left rear door D4. The automotive vehicle 151 alsohas a rear seat 152. The automotive vehicle 151 is equipped with avehicular audio system having loudspeakers 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106 d,106 e, and 106 f. The loudspeakers 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, and 106 d arelocated in the doors D1, D2, D3, and D4 respectively. The loudspeakers106 e and 106 f are located in right and left portions of the rear seat152, respectively. The loudspeaker 106 in FIG. 7 uses one of theaudio-system loudspeakers 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106 d, 106 e, and 106 f.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixthembodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 usesthe audio-system loudspeaker 106 a which is located in the right frontdoor D1.

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixthembodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 usesthe audio-system loudspeaker 106 c which is located in the left frontdoor D3.

Ninth Embodiment

A ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodimentthereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses theaudio-system loudspeaker 106 b which is located in the right rear doorD2.

Tenth Embodiment

A tenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixth embodimentthereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 uses theaudio-system loudspeaker 106 d which is located in the left rear doorD4.

Eleventh Embodiment

An eleventh embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixthembodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 usesthe audio-system loudspeaker 106 e which is located in the right portionof the rear seat 152.

Twelfth Embodiment

A twelfth embodiment of this invention is similar to the sixthembodiment thereof (see FIGS. 7-9) except that the loudspeaker 106 usesthe audio-system loudspeaker 106 f which is located in the left portionof the rear seat 152.

Thirteenth Embodiment

FIG. 10 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a thirteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 10 is similar to that in FIG. 7 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 10 includes loudspeakers 106P and 106Q which replace theloudspeaker 106 (see FIG. 7). The loudspeakers 106P and 106Q use firstone and second one of audio-system loudspeakers 106 a, 106 b, 106 c, 106d, 106 e, and 106 f (see FIG. 9), respectively. The emergency reportingapparatus in FIG. 10 includes a switch circuit 118 connected to theloudspeakers 106P and 106Q and a handsfree system circuit 116.

The switch circuit 118 selects one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q,and transmits an audio signal from the handsfree system circuit 118 tothe selected loudspeaker. The selected loudspeaker converts the audiosignal into corresponding sound which can be heard by a user. The switchcircuit 118 may include a manually-operated switch.

In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is damaged orout of order, the switch circuit 118 is controlled to select the otherloudspeaker. Accordingly, during two-way speech communication betweenthe user of the apparatus and an operator in an emergency reportreceiving center (or a police station), the user can hear operator'svoice reproduced from the selected loudspeaker, that is, the normalloudspeaker.

The switch circuit 118 may include a section for automatically detectingwhether each of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is normal or wrong. Inthis case, when one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is detected to bewrong, the switch circuit 118 selects the other loudspeaker (that is,the normal loudspeaker).

Fourteenth Embodiment

FIG. 11 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a fourteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 11 is similar to that in FIG. 10 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 11 includes controller 112A and a switch circuit 118A whichreplace the controller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10)respectively. The controller 112A is connected to the switch circuit118A. The switch circuit 118A can be controlled by the controller 112A.The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 11 also includes sensors 119Pand 119Q. The sensors 119P and 119Q are associated with loudspeakers106P and 106Q respectively. The sensors 119P and 119Q are connected tothe controller 112A.

The sensor 119P detects a condition of the loudspeaker 106P, forexample, the input imedance of the loudspeaker 106P or the level ofsound generated by the loudspeaker 106P. The sensor 119P outputs asignal to the controller 112A which represents the detected condition ofthe loudspeaker 106P. The sensor 119Q detects a condition of theloudspeaker 106Q, for example, the input imedance of the loudspeaker106Q or the level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106Q. The sensor119Q outputs a signal to the controller 112A which represents thedetected condition of the loudspeaker 106Q.

The controller 112A periodically decides whether each of theloudspeakers 106P and 106Q is normal or wrong on the basis of the outputsignals from the sensors 119P and 119Q. In the case where one of theloudspeakers 106P and 106Q is decided to be wrong, the controller 112Acontrols the switch circuit 118A to select the other loudspeaker (thatis, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case, the switch circuit 118Atransmits an audio signal from a handsfree system circuit 116 to thenormal loudspeaker so that a user can hear operator's voice reproducedfrom the normal loudspeaker.

Fifteenth Embodiment

FIG. 12 shows an emergency reporting apparatus (a terminal apparatus)according to a fifteenth embodiment of this invention. The emergencyreporting apparatus in FIG. 12 is similar to that in FIG. 10 except fordesign changes mentioned hereinafter. The emergency reporting apparatusin FIG. 12 includes controller 112B and a switch circuit 118A whichreplace the controller 112 and the switch circuit 118 (see FIG. 10)respectively. The controller 112B is connected to the switch circuit118A. The switch circuit 118A can be controlled by the controller 112B.The emergency reporting apparatus in FIG. 12 also includes an operationunit 107 which can be accessed by a user. The operation unit 107 isconnected to the controller 112B.

The operation unit 107 outputs a loudspeaker change requirement signalto the controller 112B when being operated. The operation unit 107 mayinclude a manually-operated switch.

In the case where currently-used one of loudspeakers 106P and 106Qbecomes damaged or out of order, the operation unit 107 is actuated bythe user so that a loudspeaker change requirement signal is fed to thecontroller 112B. The controller 112B controls the switch circuit 118A inresponse to the loudspeaker change requirement signal to select theother loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in this case,the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from a handsfreesystem circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the user can hearoperator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.

Sixteenth Embodiment

A sixteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for design changes mentionedhereinafter. In the sixteenth embodiment of this invention, an emergencyreport receiving center (or a police station) can transmit a DTMF (dualtone multi-frequency) control signal to a communication device 111. TheDTMF control signal contains a loudspeaker change requirement signal.The communication device 111 includes a DTMF receiver which recovers theDTMF control signal. The communication device 111 extracts theloudspeaker change requirement signal from the recovered DTMF controlsignal.

In the case where currently-used one of loudspeakers 106P and 106Qbecomes damaged or out of order, the emergency report receiving center(or the police station) transmits a DTMF control signal to thecommunication device 111. The DTMF control signal contains a loudspeakerchange requirement signal. The communication device 111 extracts theloudspeaker change requirement signal from the DTMF control signal. Thecommunication device 111 outputs the loudspeaker change requirementsignal to a controller 112B. The controller 112B controls a switchcircuit 118A in response to the loudspeaker change requirement signal toselect the other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, inthis case, the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from ahandsfree system circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that the usercan hear operator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.

Seventeenth Embodiment

A seventeenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the seventeenth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement signal outputted by acontroller 112B.

Eighteenth Embodiment

An eighteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the eighteenth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Nineteenth Embodiment

A nineteenth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the nineteenth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twentieth Embodiment

A twentieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twentieth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-First Embodiment

A twenty-first embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-first embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Second Embodiment

A twenty-second embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-second embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Third Embodiment

A twenty-third embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-third embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Fourth Embodiment

A twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-fourth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Fifth Embodiment

A twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-fifth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Sixth Embodiment

A twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-sixth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 a located in a right front door D1 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Seventh Embodiment

A twenty-seventh embodiment of this invention is similar to thefifteenth embodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the followingdesign change. According to the twenty-seventh embodiment of thisinvention, a switch circuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeakerfrom an audio-system loudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3to an audio-system loudspeaker 106 d located in a left rear door D4 (seeFIG. 9) in response to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via acontroller 112B.

Twenty-Eighth Embodiment

A twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following design change.According to the twenty-eighth embodiment of this invention, a switchcircuit 118A changes a currently-used loudspeaker from an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 b located in a right rear door D2 to an audio-systemloudspeaker 106 c located in a left front door D3 (see FIG. 9) inresponse to a loudspeaker change requirement fed via a controller 112B.

Twenty-Ninth Embodiment

A twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following designchanges. The twenty-ninth embodiment of this invention includes sensorsfor detecting the levels of sounds generated by loudspeakers 106P and106Q respectively. The sensors are connected to a controller 112B. Thesensors output signals to the controller 112B which represent thedetected levels of sounds generated by the loudspeakers 106P and 106Qrespectively. Thus, the controller 112B is informed of the detectedlevels of sounds generated by the loudspeakers 106P and 106Qrespectively.

The controller 112B compares the detected level of sound generated byeach of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q with a predetermined referencelevel. When the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker106P is equal to or higher than the reference level, the controller 112Bdecides that the loudspeaker 106P is normal. Similarly, when thedetected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106Q is equal to orhigher than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is normal. When the detected level of sound generatedby the loudspeaker 106P is lower than the reference level, thecontroller 112B decides that the loudspeaker 106P is wrong. Similarly,when the detected level of sound generated by the loudspeaker 106Q islower than the reference level, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106Q is wrong.

In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is decided to bewrong, the controller 112B controls the switch circuit 118A to selectthe other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in thiscase, the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from a handsfreesystem circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hearoperator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.

Thirtieth Embodiment

A thirtieth embodiment of this invention is similar to the fifteenthembodiment thereof (see FIG. 12) except for the following designchanges. The thirtieth embodiment of this invention includes sensors fordetecting the impedances (the input impedances) of loudspeakers 106P and106Q respectively. The sensors are connected to a controller 112B. Thesensors output signals to the controller 112B which represent thedetected impedances of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively.Thus, the controller 112B is informed of the detected impedances of theloudspeakers 106P and 106Q respectively.

The controller 112B decides whether or not the detected impedance ofeach of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q exists in a predeterminedreference range (a predetermined normal-impedance range). When thedetected impedance of the loudspeaker 106P exists in the referencerange, the controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker 106P is normal.Similarly, when the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106Q exists inthe reference range, the controller 112B decides that the loudspeaker106Q is normal. When the detected impedance of the loudspeaker 106Pexists outside the reference range, the controller 112B decides that theloudspeaker 106P is wrong. Similarly, when the detected impedance of theloudspeaker 106Q exists outside the reference range, the controller 112Bdecides that the loudspeaker 106Q is wrong.

In the case where one of the loudspeakers 106P and 106Q is decided to bewrong, the controller 112B controls the switch circuit 118A to selectthe other loudspeaker (that is, the normal loudspeaker). Thus, in thiscase, the switch circuit 118A transmits an audio signal from a handsfreesystem circuit 116 to the normal loudspeaker so that a user can hearoperator's voice reproduced from the normal loudspeaker.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle,comprising: a microphone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit;means for allowing handsfree two-way speech communication with anemergency report receiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker,and the handsfree system circuit; and a volume control circuit connectedto the loudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of soundgenerated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higherduring two-way speech communication between said emergency reportreceiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus; wherein thevolume control circuit controls the volume level at the predeterminedconstant level, and inhibits a user from changing the volume level. 21.An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: amicrophone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means forallowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency reportreceiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfreesystem circuit; and a volume control circuit connected to theloudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of soundgenerated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higherduring two-way speech communication between said emergency reportreceiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus; wherein thevolume control circuit comprises means for controlling the volume levelat the predetermined constant level during emergency reportingcommunication, and means for allowing a user to change the volume level.22. An emergency reporting apparatus for a vehicle, comprising: amicrophone; a loudspeaker; a handsfree system circuit; means forallowing handsfree two-way speech communication with an emergency reportreceiving center via the microphone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfreesystem circuit; and a volume control circuit connected to theloudspeaker for automatically controlling a volume level of soundgenerated by the loudspeaker at a predetermined constant level or higherduring two-way speech communication between said emergency reportreceiving center and said emergency reporting apparatus; wherein thevolume control circuit comprises first means for controlling the volumelevel at the predetermined constant level during emergency reportingcommunication, second means for allowing a user to change the volumelevel after the first means controls the volume level at thepredetermined constant level, and third means for preventing the volumelevel from moving out of a predetermined range after the volume level ischanged via the second means.
 23. An emergency reporting network systemcomprising: an emergency report receiving center; a communicationnetwork; and emergency reporting apparatuses connectable with theemergency report receiving center via the communication network; whereineach of the emergency reporting apparatuses comprises the emergencyreporting apparatus of one of claims 20-22.
 24. An emergency reportingapparatus for a vehicle, comprising: a microphone a loudspeaker ahandsfree system circuit; means for allowing handsfree two-way speechcommunication with an emergency report receiving center via themicrophone, the loudspeaker, and the handsfree system circuit; and avolume control circuit connected to the loudspeaker for automaticallycontrolling a volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker at apredetermined constant level or higher during emergency reporting inresponse to a desired volume signal.
 25. An emergency reportingapparatus as recited in claim 24, further comprising means forpreventing the volume level of sound generated by the loudspeaker frombeing decreased to less than the predetermined constant level.